By Friday, she said the fourth-grader at Stockton's Kennedy Elementary School was dead

A doctor with the San Joaquin Public Health Department confirmed Tuesday Jewel Knight had bacterial meningitis.

"It happened so quick. The nurse practitioner at (the) doctor's office just thought she had the flu," Davidson told KCRA 3 on Tuesday morning.

The Stockton Unified School District said the case is being investigated, said a letter from Superintendent Steven Lowder.

Lowder confirmed that Knight went home sick from school on Thursday.

Public health officials said the disease, which affects the lining of the brain and spinal cord, is spread through close contact with oral secretions, such as through kissing, or sharing the same drinking glass or eating utensils.

It is not spread through the air.

Many parents at Kennedy Elementary School said they do not want to take any chances and will get their children checked out.

“I came in at 9 in the morning and picked my daughter up,” Maria Cabrales said. Her child was Knight’s classmate.

The school district urges anyone who is concerned about being in direct contact with the girl's oral secretion to see a doctor.

Meanwhile, Davidson wants to spread a word of caution to other parents.

"Parents need to know -- if their child is complaining of a headache, don't wait," Davidson said. "If the doctor says it's just the flu, ask them to look further, because waiting a couple of days can be too late."

“She was one of the smartest kids in our classroom," Knight's classmate, Marisol Cabrales said. "I will miss her and she never did anything wrong."